Andrew Roque of the Monterey Park, California, holds the trophy at the Uplands Golf Club after winning the Times Colonist Island Savings Open on Sunday, June 10, 2012.Darren Stone
/ timescolonist.com

Andrew Roque of the Monterey Park, California, holds the trophy at the Uplands Golf Club after winning the Times Colonist Island Savings Open on Sunday, June 10, 2012.Darren Stone
/ timescolonist.com

Andrew Roque sinks a birdie putt on the 15th green at the Uplands Golf Club en route to winning the Times Colonist Island Savings Open on Sunday, June 10, 2012. Roque closed the tournament with seven consecutive birdies.Darren Stone
/ timescolonist.com

Cory Renfrew of Victoria watches a putt on the 18th green during the final round of the Times Colonist Island Savings Open on Sunday, June 10, 2012.Darren Stone
/ timescolonist.com

Cory Renfrew lines up a putt during the final round of the Times Colonist Island Savings Open on Sunday, June 10, 2012.Darren Stone
/ timescolonist.com

Cory Renfrew lines up a putt during the final round of the Times Colonist Island Savings Open on Sunday, June 10, 2012.Darren Stone
/ timescolonist.com

A gallery of hundreds follows Cory Renfrew during the final round of the Times Colonist Open at the Uplands Golf Club on Sunday, June 10, 2012.Darren Stone
/ timescolonist.com

Andrew Roque from Monterey Park, California, and Victoria’s Cory Renfrew did not look like Canadian Tour rookies playing in their first events this week during the Times Colonist Island Savings Open.

On Sunday at Uplands Golf Club, the 24-year-old Roque was unstoppable, rattling off seven consecutive birdies on his last seven holes to win the 29th annual Open by three shots over Renfrew and Lucas Lee of Brazil. Roque won $24,000 from the total purse of $150,000.

Roque fired a sizzling 61, which tied the course record set by Merritt’s Roger Sloan during the 2010 Open.

“This is a relief to win this,’’ Roque said. “I put a lot of pressure on myself to do well. I was under a lot of stress, just like the final round of qualifying school. If I didn’t win this, I felt that it would have been a waste of time and money to come here.

“When I started rolling on the back nine, before I would hit my tee shot, I knew that I would make a birdie.’’

The seven consecutive birdies fell one short of the Canadian Tour record of eight, set by Jason Bohn at the 2002 Texas Challenge.

One special guest in Roque’s gallery Sunday was his father, who made a surprise visit from California to watch his son’s final round.

Roque’s round included 10 birdies and one bogey.

“I felt if there were more holes out there, I felt that I could have shot 60 or lower.

“During some of the early holes, I was fooled a bit by the wind and I just tried to keep my shots below the trees.

“If I couldn’t win this event, I was pulling for Cory [Renfrew] to do it.’’

Roque was the recent medallist at the Canadian Tour’s qualifying school in California while Renfrew placed third.

“This was a magical week for me,’’ said Renfrew, who had a large gallery of hundreds following his every shot. “I played very solid and this was a great experience. It was fun having that large gallery following me. They hooted and hollered on every shot.

“I tried to stay aggressive today but I left too many putts short. What I will take away from this event is that I have to be more aggressive with my putter.’’

Renfrew, 26, began the day with a three-shot lead over Lee, Jeff Rangel of Martinez, California, and Derek Gillespie of Oshawa, Ont. He made the turn with a one-shot advantage before Roque made his charge.

“I didn’t really do any leaderboard watching until the 14th or 15th hole,’’ said Renfrew. “I was just trying to make birdies.

“I never met Andrew [Roque] at qualifying school, but I guess he knows how to go low. That is what it takes to win on this tour.’’

BUNKER SHOTS: It will be a busy week for Nate McCoy of Des Moines, Iowa, and his fiancée, Ashley. After playing in the Open, Nate and Ashley flew home to complete their Saturday wedding plans. Ashley, a teacher in Des Moines, was Nate’s caddy all week. McCoy, who was here on a sponsor’s exemption, plans on taking part in the remaining Canadian Tour events. … The Victoria Housing Society is the official charity of the Open. The society received a cheque for $11,019.50. … Former University of Victoria Vike Mitch Evanecz carded a final-round, 4-under 66 to finish at even par 280, which was tied for 27th place. Parker Lilly from Uplands, also a UVic grad, was also at 280. Stu Anderson of Sooke, who will soon be returning to the Nationwide Tour, was one behind Evanecz and Parker at 281. Darren Griff of Nanaimo was tied for 65th place at 289 (9-over).

rrauch@timescolonist.com

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